Phillipsburg Summer Youth Theatre presents 'The Sound of Music'

The Phillipsburg Summer Youth Theatre (PSYT) will present its 17th summer musical production at the Phillipsburg High School July 26-29. This year’s show is Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s, “The Sound of Music,” the age-old story of the musical Von Trapp family.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens. Performance times for July 26th-28 will be at 7:30 p.m.; July 29th at 2:00 p.m. All seats are reserved. Open box office hours will be from 6-8 p.m. at the Phillipsburg High School auditorium lobby on July 12 and 19. Ticket inquiries and reservations can be made by calling the box office at 484-226-1705.

There will be a special preview performance for local veteran’s and senior citizens on Wednesday, July 25 at 6 p.m. Admission will be $5 and is general seating. No reservations. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Phillipsburg Veteran’s trip to Washington, D.C.

The Phillipsburg Summer Youth Theatre is a non-profit summer only program for young people ages 12 to 24 committed to educating young people in the performing arts. The director and choreographer for this year’s production is Ashley Tait and the musical director is Ellen Dittmer, both performing arts instructors at the Lehigh Valley High School for the Performing Arts in Bethlehem, Pa. PSYT is co-managed by Mathew Bigelli and Kathy Hartman.

In related news, the Phillipsburg Summer Youth Theatre Performing Arts Camp will present youth adaptations of Rodger’s & Hammerstein’s musicals, “Once Upon a Mattress” and “Cinderella” at Lopatcong Middle School in July and August.

The PSYT Performing arts Camp is for children ages 6-14 who have an interest in performing arts. Using a child’s gift of imagination, this program focuses on a child’s creativity and the works toward improving their communication skills and self-confidence.
While creating the magic of theater, the children also learn the value of teamwork. Each camp lasts three weeks and includes classes in singing, acting, dancing, and stagecraft.

“Once Upon a Mattress” is the musical adaption of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Princess and the Pea.” With music by Mary Rodgers, lyrics by Marshall Barer, and book by Jay Thompson, Dean Fuller, and Marshall Barer; the musical adaption of the children’s story tells the story of Prince Dauntless the Drab and his quest to find a bride suitable to his mother, Queen Aggravain. Enter Princess Winnifred the Woebegone.
Performances will be held at the Lopatcong Middle School on Saturday, July 14 at 2 and 7 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12. A portion of the admission fee goes toward scholarships for children in financial need who would like to attend camp but are not financially able.

“Cinderella” is the youth version of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical that was originally brought to television in the 1960s. Performance dates for “Cinderella” will be Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Lopatcong Middle School. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Positions are still available in this three-week camp program.